#Airplane flying how to#

#Airplane flying how to#

No matter which aircraft you choose to fly, you’ll have to go through a rigorous training program to learn how to control the aircraft and keep yourself and your passengers safe. Both aircraft require a lot of training and a lot of hands-on experience in order to become a pro. Many helicopter pilots like and prefer the extra attentiveness and training that is required to properly learn the craft. It might seem like learning to fly helicopters would be difficult, however, that isn’t necessarily the case. The smallest movement of these controls has large repercussions, so the pilot must be vigilant and constantly make tiny corrections to the flight path. Helicopter pilots use the collective, cyclic, and anti-torque pedals to stay in control. A helicopter pilot, however, must almost constantly use both hands and feet to control the aircraft. If the plane is stable and there are no strong winds, then all it takes is a few small adjustments here and there and a large airplane can nearly seem to fly itself. An airplane pilot uses the control yoke and rudder pedals to operate the plane. This makes helicopters especially useful in search and rescue operations because the helicopter can hover above the site while a rescuer is lowered down and a victim is brought back up.īecause a helicopter is so touchy and can maneuver in such small spaces, they are also more hands-on and require more vigilance to operate. An airplane must be constantly moving in order to stay aloft, so it’s impossible for airplanes to hover. Helicopters are also able to hover and take tight turns. Helicopters are able to land in many places that would otherwise be inaccessible, which makes them very useful in search and rescue missions. This means that a helicopter is able to go places that an airplane can’t because it will be able to get out again without a long runway. For example, an airplane needs a long runway in order to take off while a helicopter can take off by lifting straight up. An airplane is more limited than a helicopter in its abilities and will not be able to do all the things that make a helicopter so cool and useful. An airplane requires constant airflow over its wings to stay aloft.īecause of the differences in the way the aircraft fly, there are also differences in what they’re able to do.

The rotor blades of a helicopter spin incredibly fast and provide the lift that the helicopter needs to take flight. However, this doesn’t mean that these two aircraft fly in the same way. Differences in How Airplanes and Helicopters Work:Īirplanes and helicopters use the same basic principles to fly: lift, weight, thrust, and drag.

Some of the same operating techniques and laws regarding the two types are the same as well, but beyond that, there are many, many differences between the two aircraft. The basic principle and purpose of both aircraft are the same they both take you into the air and get you places. While airplanes and helicopters are similar in some ways, they’re very different in many ways. Earning both aircraft licenses takes a lot of work and time, so it's best to choose one at the beginning of your training. This means that you can potentially be both an airplane pilot and a helicopter pilot. Some pilots earn their licenses and certifications in one type of aircraft and then go on to earn their licenses in the other. If you feel equally drawn to both aircraft, then there’s no need to worry. If you know you want to spend your workdays thousands of feet above the ground but don’t yet know which type of aircraft you want to spend it in, this is the perfect time for you to decide.